NYCM2005 - Shelton Kang Race Report

Race Report

New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 6, 2005

The weatherman did it to us again! Mid 60's turned out to be at least 70
at the 4 mi point based on a bank sign. Ten mph winds became an
occaisional breeze. And then, the sun.... A 9:30 finish was blown from
the start.

Achilles provided me with two charming young ladies as additional guides,
Lisle and Margaret, in addition to Bo. As the three of them were
operating well below their capabilities, they could fully enjoy what the
course has to offer and came away with the time of their lives. I know Bo
is hooked on soloing next year (I will bow out to support) and I suspect
that Lisle has been bitten. They have my full support.

(Webmaster comment) Wow - no wonder Shelton is grinning...his guides do indeed appear charming!

I know that so many are crediting me with the official finish time
assigned to me but since Bo and I both carry Garmins, I know that I cannot
honestly accept the under 10:00 finish. I actually finished at about
10:11 but that is still a second year NYCM pr. I'll make my goals next
year in Columbus, weather permitting. Ideal weather would even allow me
to do that even in NYC.

I only looked at the results today, afraid of how bad they would be.
Actually I was pleasantly surprised. I was still on target as late as the
20 mi point when "the wheels fell off". Actually the course was littered
with surplus wheels. More than pace bands.

We did take the time to interface with the crowd, hug dogs, and pose with
characters (Elvis, rhino(s), etc.) along the way. Bo has the photographic
record. We were passed by Ken and Ellen on the Queensboro bridge and many
runners cheered us along the way, several even patting me on the back.
That's as good as being scratched on the belly.

Training, experience in management, and course familiarity all contributed
to my avoiding all the "zones" that are available. That's the good news.
The bad news was that I knew where and how bad each feature would be and
could enjoy them at their un-dulled best. I did not miss the final climb
to the finish this year, thank you.

Bo and I felt that we needed to be "punished" for our less than stellar
performance on Sunday. Either that or we needed more of the "hair of the
dog that bit us".

On Monday we did a walking tour of lower Manhattan including the bull at
the stock exchange, the WTC site (still an unpleasant place for me) where
a runner had hung a flower and his medal on the fence, battery park
including Clinton castle, a round trip on the Staten Island ferry, a round
trip to Brooklyn via both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and a
detailed tour of Chinatown (partially due to getting lost in an endless
loop). Considering my ethnic heritage, figure that one out. We met up
with Harriet and Daniel for dinner in the 'town. Bo had had one street
vendor hot dog (the best in the world) earlier in the day and was ready to
attack anything by this point.

While on the ferry I pointed out, with a wide sweep of my arm, our Sunday
path from the start to as far as we could see, an arc of more than 180
degrees. I then added that more than that was not visible. Bo was as
snowed as I was as a newbie. The marathon really doesn't sound like such
a good idea in saner moments! Unfortunately the fog deprived Bo of the
view during the bus ride to the start and while on the V bridge. I have
photos from last year to substitue.

Today we did midtown starting with a walking tour of Ft Lee historical
site (NJ) via a round trip on the walkway of the George Washington bridge.
Feighning ignorance, we took many photos along the way. "Photographic
equipment prohibited" I feel so much safer now that we have those pesky
tourists under control. Next was Rockefeller plaza and the trappings of
the NBC morning show operation (one of Bo's favorites).

We then met up with Harriet, penguin Lori, one of her friends who did the
marathon, and one of my two Achilles guides, Lisle for dinner on second
avenue. My other guide, Margaret, is in New Orleans, dealing with the
recovery from their tragedy.

Bo estimates that Tueday heaped on another seven miles of punishment.
Fortunately, marathon recovery for both of us only involves a few hours,
so the punishment didn't take. What did occur, is that Bo was severely
bitten by both New York City and it's marathon. He will return for both
asap. Can anyone blame him?

Bo drives back to Columbus tomorrow and I will stay until Harriet and I
drive back for Thanksgiving where all three of us have a date with the 5
mi Turkey Trot on T morning. Burn off the cals BEFORE you eat them.